Orientation and First-Year Experience Coordinator (Newark)

The Orientation and First-Year Experience Coordinator would provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for programs that support new students in their transition to college life. This position would be responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing comprehensive orientation programs and year-round first-year experience initiatives that foster student engagement, belonging, social life, retention, and academic success.

The Coordinator would serve as a key partner in advancing the institutions commitment to holistic student development and will collaborate closely with colleagues across the university.

Essential Job Functions:

• Cultivate an inclusive campus experience that facilitates student engagement, social inclusion, intellectual curiosity, and personal exploration in collaboration with students and colleagues.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute comprehensive new student orientation programs for first-year students and support orientation programs for other student populations. This includes overseeing general planning, budgets, and assessment of all orientation programs.
• Implement and lead a year-long First-Year Experience (FYE) program designed to promote academic success, social integration, and personal development, including events such as National FirstGen Celebration Week.
• Collaborate regularly with a broad range of campus stakeholders in support of inclusive FYE and orientation content that integrates academic and co-curricular components, including engagement with the broader Licking County community (e.g., the Licking County Learning Lab).
• Serve as a member on various committees related to essential duties. Collaborate and work in coordination with the OSU FYE office in Columbus.
• Design and implement assessment tools to evaluate program effectiveness and student outcomes; use data to inform decisions, improve programming, and support retention and student success efforts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field 4+ years of professional experience in higher education/student affairs preferred. Understanding of how the first-year experience is situated within a diverse, mostly commuter-based college environment.
• Knowledge of high-impact practices related to supporting students transition to college life.
• Awareness of the concerns of parents of traditional-aged college students.
• Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with students, faculty, administrators, parents, & external partners.
• Ability to develop strategies, set priorities and handle multiple tasks while meeting deadlines.
• Strong project management skills; experience leading meetings; excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills.
• Experience developing and supervising professional or student staff.
• Ability to be an innovative thinker and problem solver; and effective at developing and implementing solutions.
• Able to work independently and carry out assignments and projects without detailed instructions.
• Evening and weekend work may be required. Excellent oral and written communication skills and computer skills required. Proficient in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field
• 5+ years of professional experience in higher education/student affairs.
• Understanding of how the first-year experience is situated within a diverse, mostly commuter-based college environment.
• Prior experience in the preparation and presentation of workshops preferred.
• Knowledge of OSU policies and procedures; understanding of how a regional campus is situated within a larger institution.

This position is full-time in-person at The Ohio State University at Newark.

The target salary range is $51,500-$58,000 depending on experience and education.

The College

The Ohio State University at Newark offered its first classes in 1957 with a mission to provide affordable, open access to Ohio State for all Ohioans. The Newark campus sits on 188 acres and shares the campus with Central Ohio Technical College. The two institutions have a strong partnership whereby they share all buildings and general-purpose classrooms, approximately 100 staff, operating expenses, and a number of capital equipment investments. Shared departments include Advancement; Business and Finance; Facilities, Planning and Operations; Library; Marketing and Public Relations; Purchasing and Auxiliary Services; Student Financial Services; and Student Life.

Ohio State Newark currently enrolls more than 2,200 students who are taught and mentored by 45 tenure-track faculty who are members of their university-level academic department. Students can complete eight bachelors degree programs at the Newark Campus and start any of Ohio States 200+ majors. In addition to excellent academic offerings, students can participate in the Honors program, service learning, education abroad, and a wide variety of student clubs and organizations.

Ohio State Newark is situated near the Ohio State University Columbus campus, presenting great opportunities for new and innovative partnerships to benefit students, faculty, and staff. The future of the campus will be impacted by the significant growth and development in Licking County, including a new Intel facility, expansion of Meta and Google facilities, and more. Students are creating innovative pathways to their degree completion due to the proximity to multiple campuses.